William Griffiths
William Griffiths was charged at Dalston Police-Court with being drunk and disorderly. The incident occurred on Essex Road at about one o'clock on the morning on 10 October 1888. Police Constable 200 J, stated that he was on duty in Essex Road when the prisoner, Griffiths, came up to him and said, 'I want to be taken to the police station. If you do not take me I shall murder somebody tonight. I am Jack the Ripper. He then produced a large pocket knife, which he attempted to open. The Constable then told the man to go home. Griffiths then entered a public house, and on leaving fell down. Finding the man to be drunk the Constable, with assistance, took him to the police station. Griffiths apologized for his actions, saying, 'it was a drunken freak', and stated that he had no intention of injuring anyone. The Magistrate passed judgement, saying, 'It was a very foolish act', and concluding that the prisoner must find one surety in £5, too keep the peace for three months or go to prison for twenty one days. Griffiths, a general dealer, lived at 1 Mildmay Avenue, Islington, and was described as young and wearing a velvet cord suit.
